At Kenson Highways, we are committed to delivering innovative, sustainable engineering solutions that improve the resilience of urban infrastructure. Working in partnership with the London Borough of Redbridge, we continue to progress a comprehensive capital programme of flood alleviation works during the current financial year.
Programme Progress to Date
Significant progress has already been made, with flood alleviation schemes successfully completed at the following locations:
Claybury Park Westwood Recreation Ground Dawlish Drive / South Park Drive junction Hermon Hill Wellesley Road
Additional schemes at Cherry Tree Rise and Mortlake Road are scheduled for completion later in the year, further strengthening the borough’s approach to surface water management and flood risk reduction.
Innovative Attenuation Solutions
The most recent installations at Hermon Hill and Wellesley Road in Wanstead Village have incorporated Hydrorock attenuation systems — a permeable, modular solution designed to manage surface water more effectively while reducing reliance on traditional drainage infrastructure.
Key benefits of the Hydrorock system include:
Infiltration of surface water directly into sub-grade layers Controlled attenuation capacity integrated within the carriageway construction Reduced demand on conventional drainage networks
At Hermon Hill, the carriageway was resurfaced using permeable paving, allowing rainfall to pass through the surface course and into the attenuation blocks beneath. While visually similar to conventional surfacing, the system delivers enhanced hydraulic performance and long-term resilience.
At Wellesley Road, a step-by-step trench build-up was undertaken, demonstrating the layered construction of the Hydrorock system. This provided a clear example of the system’s constructability, durability, and suitability for use within live highway environments.
Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing
We were pleased to welcome representatives from the Environment Agency and neighbouring boroughs to site, where they observed the installation process and assessed the performance potential of the system. The visit also highlighted how the attenuation works integrate seamlessly with wider Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) features, including the new rain garden and junction improvements delivered at Nightingale Lane.
Commenting on the visit, Mandy Sullivan from the Environment Agency said:
“The live demo and trench build-up provided excellent insight into the processes involved. It’s clear that innovative solutions are being implemented across Redbridge to reduce flood risk.”
Looking Ahead
Through continued collaboration and investment in sustainable design, Kenson Highways remains focused on delivering flood-resilient highway infrastructure that protects communities, extends asset life, and supports long-term environmental goals.
We look forward to completing the remaining schemes later this year and continuing to support Redbridge Council in building a more resilient and sustainable road network.
